Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-01
THE EVENING STAR:

glisten in the duh light of the dying fire, like
countless eyes that were watching me-
| my strange companion left me standing beside
| the door, and going forward, took the crucibie
from the IRE. He shook IL, looked earnestly into
| II. poured molten mass from it into broad ever
| that stood near by, and stirred the liquid metal
| with small rod or iron.
mutter, and then the rod fell from his hands, and
he sat down, listless and despondent, ON the little
| coffin.
a. You are alchemist, i said suddenly, think
ing had found the clue TO his choice OF so strange
| eyes, he answered looking up at me with in
| terest For 30 years have been seeking for that
which shall turn all things 10 gold-and have
| never found IL yet. But never mind, the day must
! come. must come and WILL
| "He rose from his seat, raked the hot ashes
over the still glowing Goals put crucible and ever
carefully away, and led me out OF the vault. with
one push of his seemingly fragile hand he set the
iron door OF the tomb In its socket and fastened it,
IL still looked as II years had gone by since 1t had
| been opened.
'.You have great strength said, admiringly
| "'And it has been employed in good cause he
| answered, with u hard laugh.
''He fastened the last bolt and turned away,
| saying:
| ".AIl is safe TIL come again. No one will ever
think of looking there for any tidings of me-
'Side by side We took our way down the hill and
| speak till we reached the gate OF my cottage
/ yard Then he paused and leaned over the fence
| a moment.
| ''.lou have pleasant hOme,' he said, looking
az the window where the taper was burning, In
/ readiness fOr my return.
''-I like it, such as tt is But II IS late-wil Won
| not rest beneath my roof to-night?"
=" NO, no; my way lies yonder,' he said, pointing
| by The old stone cross.
- 1T is lonely road
- III Is And strange stories are told of this
mouse sometimes Years ago, when you were
/ Dol, man was hung in the town yOnder, and he
| pointed over the HILL He lived In this house once,
anu, would you believe 1t? the fools will have it
| But You and know better
..Ie laughed horrid laugh, and his eyes shone
/ green ami baneful as he turned them on me-
Yes, we Know BETTER / answered quietly,
though my very blood seemed chilled within me.
He Wrung my hand in his cola fingers, NUT
| tered a hasty goodnight, and strobe away. l
hurried along the path that led to the door. The
| rusty lock delayed me a moment and when had
| opened the door and turned TO look after him. he
| was gone. The moon shOne clear and bright on
fOdu, and tree and hill, but of him there was no
| sign! laid down that night with unquiet
Mystery was around me- whichever way
| turned my steps something puzzled and perplexed
and haunted me. The old house itself, which 1
hdd thought so quiet, was full of sounds AS l
| sat IN my study, absorbed in favorite book, l
could hear steps upon the loose boards OF the up
per HooE or DISMAL Knocks from the cellar. as if
| some one was mailing coffin there. Into these
| regions had never penetrated; had no use for
| them, and had hardly deemed them worth nv
notice. But now that the low whi5peringS. which
| hat at flrat attributed to the winds, became
| that could distinctly hear something lift the
| latch OF my bedroom door and step around the
room, though at the same time my straining eyes
i
pest 10 search out everything ana know what /
had about me.
"While l was preparing matches. tapers and
Somt other neceSSaries on the morning had de-
voted 10 the investigation, quick knock came at
the door. / opened it, half fearing my ghostly
friend, the image OF the picture, would stand be-
| fore me- But no. In his placewas stout, rudy,
hale Old man-the proprietor OF the place, who
welcomed him gladly. de stern, matter-Of-
fact, practical old fellow. In his presence could
BE- calm and quiet and cool. There was nothing
4 n lN61
| To make Inc more ike myself than had been Tor
days before.
81 told him what / was about to do. He eyed
| me shrewdly, took up basket and shovel near
him, and opened the door OF the cellar. L knew,
| then, by his manner, that it was not all fancy,
that there was some actual foundation for the
sounds had heard.
''We went down the dark and crumbling stairs
The faint CLEAN OF the taper failed to light the
gloomy cavern in which we found ourselves, and
wesat down, at the foot of the steps, till our eyes
became accustomed TO the faint light.
"'IOu have heard something here that sends
you down on this search, take it, said Mr.. Moor
house, as he poked the moist earth up with his
cane.
81 have. And something which do not intend
to hear again, unless know the reason OF it.
"a low muffied knock came Oh the wall beside
us, as spoke.
''Lord save us. Is that ito exclaimed Moor
house, starting.
something like it, believe
1--WE sat In silence for a time, but nothing more
came:
last.
lone Boutwell,, believe
"iAnd before him?'
''MOorhOuse heSitated moment and then an
swered frankly:
".My lad, Iii not deceive thee Years ago. when
was but boy, the house was tenanted by Mo
relli-Anuolne MOrell1-whO was hung at last, and
rightly he deserved it, He was queer knave
and used to potter by the hour over a kind OF
kettle, thinking he was going to find gold at the
bottom. At last he murdered a man here. In this
| very houSe-don't start so, man,-was tried, con-
! demned, hung and lies buried on tother side OF
Il NJ Tbnt NnyN 1Ax-o
| the whole story
".Not Quite answered, turning sick and
"a deep, sepulchral voice seemed to echo the
words at my elbow, and Mr.. MOorhouse fairly
".Did you hear that, lad? 1 believe in nv very
| soul he Is here, close beside me- at this very
moment
Il could see better, now, and the old mans
rudy face had grown white. Moorhouse,'
said, calmly, Il shall never stay another night I'm
this nouse Yet, we won't be frightened away
".NO, we WON'T and summoning his American
courage TO his aid, he wiped his forehead with his
handkerchief and planted his feet dO4gedN
| against the step on which we were sitting.
THE other night continued, If ever 1 saw
| with him, TOO
" 'Eh? Whate'
".He came from an old tomb up on the hillside
followed MIN into it, and there were his crucible
| his books, his divining-rod'
"Iad! Lad" CALCULATED the old farmer grow
| Ing still paler, you describing what was In
the old tomb 30 years ago. But it has never been
there since have seen IL empty with my own
| eyes, and the door was nailed fast to the rock
| at is strange how often, when we are hearing
| 1r1ghtful story, some chance word may startle
| us, even when the tale has failed TO do So What
he said about the nails struck cold chill to INV
| very heart.
"'NevertheeSs,' persisted, Il saw ii all on that
night. And the man VINO was with me opened
and shut that heavy door as II it had been a
wicker gate
".DeScribe him.
go and look at the head which is painted on
| the wall in the room above u.s.
"'DOes 1t look like hm?'
ut Is a perfect picture
"'Then you hare seen him. he said, with start
ling emphasis, TOr he painted it himself before
ne died. And do you know he added sinking his
Voice into low whisper, time and again we have
tried TO wash the painted image off, but IL sticks
Ike blood and Will have to stay there till the end
OF time, unless something stronger than soap and
sand is discovered?'
but why does he not rest, now he is in his
grave?' asked.
'Satan only knows. 1t may be- though
MOorhOuse Unused moment and then turned and
faced me. My lad, have heard IL said that more
than one murder has been committed here by him.
In the darkest corner OF the cellar yonder have
seen pile OF earth that does not look Just right
Shall We see what Is there?'
"I Will go with YOU / answered Only a
few nights before had followed a dead man into
tomb was not likely to fail a living one now
Gas we set foot In the corner the low Ominous
knocking which i had often heard while
sitting upstairs, commenced ON all sides OF us but
We would not turn back.
Nh. IN